Jennifer Witton wins inaugural By Voice Alone competition

Finalists at the 2019 By Voice Alone competition

A new vocal competition, By Voice Alone, reached its climax on Monday (20 May 2019) at Kings Place when seven young singers competed at the final. Launched in 2018, the competition is distinctive in that the opening round of auditions were done blind, hence the competitions title. Attracting over 400 singers from around the world, the competitions final featured sopranos Siân Dicker, Jeannette Louise van Schaik, Luci Briginshaw, Chloë Morgan and Jennifer Witton, mezzo soprano Kate Howden, and baritone Themba Mvula.

The winner was soprano Jennifer Witton, with her performances of 'Glück das mir verblieb' (Marietta's Lied) from Korngold's Die Tote Stadt and 'Enfin, je suis ici' from Massenet's Cendrillon (an opera in which she was on tour with Glyndebourne Touring Opera as Cendrillon, and she is currently with the main company covering the role for the forthcoming season). Jennifer was joint winner of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama's gold medal in 2015.

Second Place and the Audience Prize went to Luci Briginshaw (who is currently on tour with English Touring Opera), whilst the prize for Emerging Artist went to Chloë Morgan, who is currently at Glyndebourne Opera covering the role of Noémie in Massenet's Cendrillon, but who was originally a jazz specialist, performing at Ronnie Scott's and other key venues on the jazz scene.